Color Coded Computer Cords

In the misty, nearly-forgotten days of yore there was a young man. This young man was renowned (in his own mind) for his intellect and his practicality. There was nothing he could not do if he was shown but once.

Since his childhood the young man had been enamored with the fascinating world of the electronic computer. What power! What freedom!

With a computer one could do nearly anything. One could write a book or a journal. One could travel to distant worlds and defeat hideous monsters. And with the right tools and enough knowledge, one could even create those worlds and its inhabitants.

This young man did all of this and more. He tended lemonade stands. He learned about the old west while travelling along the Oregon Trail. But what he really started to enjoy learning was how to make the computer do what you wanted it to do.

After enjoying computers for many years the young man decided that he needed a computer of his own and not be shackled by the whims and schedules of other people. But how to afford it? Home computers were relatively new and still fairly expensive. Fortunately a friend of his had ventured into the world of building one's own computer and possessed eldritch knowledge of their construction. Instead of bending to the will of some manufacturer you could have a computer with any set of specs and any parts you wanted, all for cheaper than if you bought it at a store (even if you worked at a store and got a discount).

With the guidance and pantience of his friend the young man was able to select and purchase the elemenatal parts that would combine to create a computing machine of surpassing power. A small part of the lore was to know where everything was to go. For example what cords plugged in where: the keyboard always plugged into the PS/2 slot closest to the motherboard and the mouse into the one further away. The young man could do this without resorting to using the small etched diagram in the back plate--he would not be denied the use of his know-how.

The young man relished the idea of being in the company of a select few who held the understanding of how to accomplish what he had just done. Soon family members and other friends were requesting the young man's assistance in all matters related to computers. Whether to diagnose and fix problems or to construct a personal computer for them, the young man was able to help all comers.

As time passed and seasons changed computers started to become more ubiquitous. Computers were starting to be made more "user friendly. Even the hidden realm of building one's own computer started to become more widespread. Parts and part shops started to become more common. Guides and techniques were popping up on this new invention called the "Internet".

One small part of the easier-to-use push was to start color coding parts of the computer in an effort to ensure than anyone would be able to put their computer together correctly. The young man scoffed at these ideas and put his nose up at anyone who needed these hacks to use a computer. The young man believed he could take apart and re-assemble a computer while blindfolded and couldn't see why everyone else couldn't do the same. All you had to do was follow the cord from the peripheral to the connector and then remember which plug it goes in to. How hard is that?

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Fast forward to the present. The young man is now a slightly older young man. His wisdom has not been augmented very much by the years and neither has his common sense, but a few things have changed. His job now mainly consists of fixing and setting up computers for people who have not the understanding that he possesses. Day in and day out he is installing programs and undating security, crawling under a desk and changing out a mouse, or explainging (again) how one prints double sided on a certain printer. In his sojourn in this position he has unplugged and replugged countless keyboards and countless mice. He has done it with a flashlight in hand and with a flashlight in mouth. He has done it under desks and around corners with his neck crooked and his arms stained to their outmost.

In these situations every little advantage is coveted. After five minutes of crawling around fending off dust bunnies the size of his head, the slightly older young man doesn't want to have to go back and redo what he thought he had done. One advantage of the modern computer that enables him to complete his duties quickly and with a minimum of errors is the fact that most computer cords are color coded. And he is thankful that they are.